Cases of Influenza-like Illnesses (ILls) in the country increased over the last three to four weeks amid the ongoing rainy season, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday.
From January 1 to August 24, 2024, the DOH has listed a total of 102,216 cases of ILIs in the country, a slight decline compared to the 125,153 cases in the previous year.
All the regions, except for BARMM, have increased the cases in the recent four weeks. The cases logged from July 28 to August 10 was at 9,491. The DOH added that it is 55 percent higher compared to the 6,124 cases reported from July 1 to 27.
According to the DOH, ILIs are a group of illnesses that present with common symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, colds, body aches, and headaches.
The top three causes in the Philippines for the current period are as follows:
- Influenza A (777, 28.5%)
- Rhinovirus (770, 28.2%)
- Enterovirus (675, 24.7%)
“As the rainy season continues, we encourage the public to take proactive measures against Influenza-like Illnesses. Eat well, stay active, and get vaccinated. Wash and clean hands often, and wear a face mask properly when sick or in crowded conditions to safeguard everyone’s health. These same measures protect against many other illnesses. Let us keep our case counts low,” Health Secretary Teodor Herbosa said.
The DOH advises the public to take proactive steps against ILIs and other WILD (Water and food-borne diseases, Influenza-like illnesses, Leptospirosis, and Dengue) Diseases that increase during the rainy season.
They added that the department is currently procuring Influenza vaccines with the submission and opening of the bidding process on Friday, September 6.
